Quick Thoughts: Illusive (Illusive #1) by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Illusive

(Illusive #1)

by Emily Lloyd-Jones

July 15, 2014

406 pages

Goodreads Summary:

THEY ARE YOUNG.

THEY ARE CRIMINALS.

THEY ARE IMMUNE.

When the MK virus swept across the planet, a vaccine was created to stop the epidemic, but it came with some unexpected side effects. A small percentage of the population developed superhero-like powers, and Americans suffering from these so-called adverse effects were given an ultimatum: Serve the country or be declared a traitor.

Some people chose a third option: live a life of crime.

Seventeen-year-old Ciere Giba has the handy ability to change her appearance at will. She's what's known as an illusionist. She's also a thief. After crossing a gang of mobsters, Ciere must team up with a group of fellow superpowered criminals on a job that most would have considered impossible: a hunt for the formula that gave them their abilities. It was supposedly destroyed years ago - but what if it wasn't?

Government agents are hot on their trail, and the lines between good and bad, us and them, and freedom and entrapment are blurred as Ciere and the rest of her crew become embroiled in a deadly race that could cost them their lives.

Review

Illusive is yet another backlist title I've had on my shelves since pretty much its release date. I ended up buddy reading it with a friend. The story is a blend of sci-fi, dystopian, paranormal and urban fantasy which I quite enjoyed.

What I Liked:

- background/explanation to the world

- the classification of superpowers

- the hidden strength to Ciere who took care of her loved ones

- found family (in a ragtag group of criminals)

- lots of tension in the latter half of the book

- the two plot twists that were revealed at just the right time for maximum shock

- the ending giving so much potential to the sequel

- a hint of romance

The Not So Much:
- the first half of the story (Part One and Part Two) was slow

- this is 100% my personal preference but more romance please

"Time to stop hiding." (p. 388)